Beer Chicken: Surprise your guests and discover a traditional recipe

If you are asked which meat is par excellence, you will surely say chicken, and if you think of one of the most widespread drinks in the world, beer is undoubtedly the one that occupies that place. If you put both ingredients together in the same recipe, the most common preparation in any kitchen should come out, chicken in beer, and yet, many people are unaware of this recipe, the way it is prepared and, above all, its tradition.

In this article we will tell you what are the steps to prepare this delicious dish that you will undoubtedly want to repeat again and again to celebrate the most special occasions.

Although it is true that in Spain we do not have a tradition of using beer in preparations, and instead, it is wine that takes center stage, in other central European countries such as Germany It is an essential ingredient for various preparations.

If you don't know why to use a different alcoholic beverage depending on the country, the answer is very simple. And it is that, throughout time, the gastronomy of each site has been based mainly on the ingredients and resources to which it has had greater access. Thus, in Spain the plantations of vines and the manufacture of wine have been much more frequent than the production of barley.

A bit of history

The beer tradition of the German nation goes back centuries, and for this reason, it is not surprising that this type of dish is so popular in Germany, since as it is known, this tradition is very palpable in some of its national celebrations such as Oktoberfest, which we have to tell you about because it is the origin of this chicken dish, which would later evolve into the current recipe

Born in the 19th century and on the occasion of the celebration of the royal wedding between the heir Ludwig and Princess Teresa of Saxony, the citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate the wedding, and for this purpose a horse race was held, that the following year would be repeated and would result in the origin of the famous beer festival.

Over the years, this festival has also become the perfect occasion to sample traditional German foods such as pretzels, sausages, pork knuckles and of course beer chicken. This celebration was originally held in the month of October, however, it was later brought forward to September due to the still good weather on these dates and the possibilities of enjoying more outdoors.

Now, the beer festival is more than that, it is a demonstration of the country's intentions and culture. Regional costumes, parades of decorated horses and parades of hunters come together in the same celebration to postpone this tradition, already more than recognized.

An interesting fact? The party begins when the mayor opens the first of the barrels of beer that the brewery owners arrive with, who are called 'Wiesnwirte'. This gesture and the parade of costumes marks the beginning of the 18 days that the festival lasts and that is replicated so much in other countries.

For beer chicken, as to make many more stews based on this ingredient, Hacker beer, Pschorr Hefe Weisse, traditional wheat beer in Bavaria, or Köstritzer Schwarzbier, the black beer whose flavor is more intense, is mainly used. sweet.

After having briefly told you the history of this recipe, now we tell you what are the ingredients you need and how to prepare them to enjoy this recipe.

Ingredients for 2 people:

• ¼ chicken per person or thighs (1kg)
• ¾ of a liter of high-proof beer
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon of flour
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Oil
• Exit
• Pepper

To prepare the chicken in beer, the first thing you should do is cut the chicken into pieces or, in the case of using thighs, take them out of the fridge 10 minutes before preparing them. Whether you use chicken pieces or thighs, season them and put them in a cauldron with oil so that they are browned on the outside but remain raw on the inside, since they will finish cooking later with the stew. Once you have the chicken marked, put it on a plate and reserve it for later.

In the same pot that you have been using, add the garlic cloves, the onion and a pepper (it is optional) that you must have previously chopped. Salt and pepper this mixture and let it cook for 15 minutes over low heat.

After this time has elapsed and once the onion is well poached, add the flour, which will be the key element so that your chicken in beer thickens so that it has enough body. After adding the flour, mix well until everything is integrated and let it cook for 2 more minutes.

In the next step, add the chicken and any juices on the plate back to the flour/vegetable mixture. Add the thyme, rosemary, bay leaves and beer so that everything is covered. In this step, it is very important that you keep in mind that the stronger the beer, the more bitter the taste of the chicken will be.

If this is your first time making the recipe, we recommend using a milder lager to ensure you like the result. You can change the beer every time you cook the recipe!

Once all the ingredients are added, mix everything and let it cook very well and over low heat for 45 or 50 more minutes so that the sauce reduces and the flavor is not only concentrated, but also impregnated in the chicken pieces .

As a final step, serve the meat and its sauce on the plates and accompany it with the garnish of your choice; Being chicken you can use endless preparations such as mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, rice or mushrooms.

This recipe is common in many countries despite not having the same name. In Germany and central European countries, this is a very typical dish not only in everyday life but also in celebrations. In Latin American countries such as Argentina, it is known as drunken chicken when it is prepared with alcoholic beverages, while in some regions of China, wine, sherry or whiskey are used instead of beer and in the United States, it is called chicken sitting on a beer can or chicken on a throne because the chicken is held upright on a beer can so that as the beer evaporates, the chicken becomes impregnated with its flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions about Beer Chicken

Where is the beer chicken made?

This recipe is common in many countries even though they do not have the same name. In Germany and central European countries, this is a very typical dish not only in everyday life but also in celebrations. In Latin American countries like Argentina, it is known as drunken chicken In some regions of China, wine, sherry or whiskey is used instead of beer and in the United States, it is called chicken sitting in a beer can or chicken on the throne.

What is the best beer to prepare the chicken ale?

Although there is no rule that says which beer to use, it is necessary to take into account that it is better that it be of a higher alcohol content so that the meat acquires its flavor. Also, the stronger the beer, the more bitter it will be; that's why it's best to use a light lager if you've never made this recipe before.

How do you know if the beer chicken is done?

If when pierced with a knife, it does not bleed, or it no longer has a pink color inside, then it is ready to remove from the heat.